The Scottish Dream: New Caledonia

PART TWO: Death and
Disaster

A screenplay written
by Paul Long in two parts.

August 2016

Appendix of Other Scenes

Company fo Scotland Address King William

EXT. Kensington Palace. Day

A black horse-drawn carriage approaches Kensington Palace. They
draw to a halt in front of before the main steps because the main steps are
blocked by a troop of Guards ready to transport the King.

From the carriage descents a four directors from the Company of
Scotland. They look to eachother and ascend the stairs to the palace doors.
Marquis of Tweeddale, Sir John Home of Blackadder

INT. Kensington Palace. Attendence Room. Day

The directors await partially nervous, partially impatient.

Royal Servant

His Majesty shall see you now.

The directors are led through another set of doors, through a
long chamber to a final set of doors.

INT. King’s Chambers. Day

King William is only surrounded by his servants who have
finished dressing him. William is cold and impatient. Tweeddale hands the
Address to the King.

The King takes it and stares blankly.

Tweeddale

If you Majesty would be so kindÉ

The King hands the Address back, irritated. Tweeddale hands it
to Sir John Home of Blackadder.

Blackadder

[Reads the Address]

King William

My Lord, I suppose you know that I have ordered the sitting
of Parliament to be on the 15^th of May, and that it cannot possibly
meet sooner. Therefore, I think you might have spared this trouble.

King William moves towards the door to leave and is blocked by
Blackadder. Blackadder confronts the King with controlled anger.

Blackadder

Your Majesty, the Address is not only a petition to for
Parliament to meet but also a petition for the security of the Company of
Scotland and the safety of Your Majesty’s subjects in New Caledonia.

King William

The truth of that would surely be known when Parliament
convenes.

Blackadder steps out of the way as the King rushes passed him.
The King heads out of the palace to the awaiting carriages.

English man’s Treatment in Scotland

EXT. Alleys of the Wynd in Edinburgh. Day

A man is being chased by a mob of approximately six angry men.
The man is caught and beaten.

A door opens and a women steps out.

Women in Street

What are you’z all up to know? [BEAT] Be off with you.

The mob skuttle off leaving the man lying in the mud.

Women in Street

And what are you doing there?

He rolls over as she walks closer.

Samuel Tuckey

They just set upon me, ma’am. I didn’t do anything.

Women in Street

Where ya from?

Samuel Tuckey

England?

Women takes a closer look at his bloodied face and quivering
arms.

Women in Street

Then you know where to go next.

Caledonia Returns to the Sound of Islay

EXT. Onboard the Caledonia. Day

Captain Robert Drummond eyes the Clyde in the distance. He
hands a sealed letter to his cousin Laurence Drummond.

Laurence Drummond descends a rope ladder to a smaller boat,
along with another officer and two crew. They sail off towards Glasgow.

Robert Drummond looks about the sparce crew. Drained, depressed
and in fear of what awaits them.

INT. Board of Directors. Day

Directors: Sir Francis Scott of Thirlestane, John Drummond of
Newton, Lieutenant Colonel John Erskine, James Balfour & James Maclean.

James Balfour open a sealed envelope. Reads to himself in
silence for a few seconds.

Thirlestane

Well?

James Balfour

The Caledonia is anchored off of Islay. Captain Robert
Drummond has the ship and it appears Paterson is with him as well. Though not
well.

Thirlestane

I shall be the judge of that. [BEAT] Did, err, we send some
communication to New York, via that Mackay lad?

James Balfour

Unfortunately, yes. Three weeks ago.

Thirlestane

And remind me of what we actually said.

James Balfour

That those holing up in New York were traitors basically Sir
Francis.

Thirlestane

So, they are no longer Ôholed up’ and therefore we must not
presume them traitors. [BEAT] I would suggest.

Murmour of awkward agreement amounst the directors.

EXT. Onboard the Caledonia. Greenock. Day

Paterson is on a stretcher and is hoisted off of the Caledonia
to the ground. He is delerious and with a fever.

He is placed into the back of a carriage on the stretcher.

Letter of Attack on those that were felt to be hiding
in New York

Returning Colonists Treatment in Scotland

INT. Public House. Royal Mile. Day

Young colonist takes his first sip of Ale in his home town.
Closes his eyes to savour the moment.

A fist crashes into the side of his face and he tumbles to the
floor.

Thug

Coward! You fucking coward!

Man launches into a fernzied attack on the colonist.

EXT. Rural farm. Day

Young colonist in rages walks to his family home. His mother
and father are waiting at the gate. He smiles only to realise the smile was not
being returned. The pair at the gate turn away. A young child runs out of the
farmhouse enthusiastically. The father shouts something indistict but with
clear intent. The child runs inside.

INT. Roger Oswald’s Lodgings. Night

Sat at a desk, quill in hand, parchment in front of him. He, with
confidence, begins to write to a friend: Thomas Aikman.

Colonist (V.O.)

I am mightily sorry that I should have angered my father, but
necessity has no laws. I wish he would forget my fault when I am gone. I know
not whither but certainly it is to more misfortune, for I see plainly that my
life is composed of a labyrinth of my own, out of which I will never get an
outgate but by death’s door. I design not to go back to Caledonia, but to
somewhere else wherever my fate leads me, though it was one of my resolutions
to go back and lay down my life cheerfully for my country’s sake. Since it
pleased God that I have preserved it still, and had not the good fortune (if I
may term it so) to lose it in that place, and so have been happy by wanting the
sight of so many miseries that have come upon myself and others of my relations
which I have got notice of since I came to this town. I never intended, nor do
intend, to trouble my father any more [BEAT] Only I hope you will acquaint him
that I wish him long life, wealth and happiness, and more comfort in the rest
of his children than he has had in me.

Paterson’s Final Scene

INT. Private Club in Westminster, England – Night

Paterson is brought another whiskey by the waitor. He takes a
sip and places the glass down.

Paterson

Well, I would suspect that that brings us right up to date.

Interviewer

And since the Union [BEAT] how have things changed?

Paterson

Hmm. They’ve changed to be sure. [BEAT] And they’ve stayed
the same.

Trade has already increased for Scotland and England. The
harbours have never been busier. Business is good.

This new Union seems to be the perfect vehicle for everything
I ever wanted to do. Do you recall the words?

Herries

ÒIt will be manifest that trade is capable of increasing
trade, and money of begetting money to the end of the worldÓ.

Herries laughes out loud. Paterson frowns slightly but reposts.

Paterson

And it is thus so. We have access to a countless number of
ports across the globe, due to the Navigation Acts that previously only benefited
the English, and can confidently trade in any one of them. The tobacco and
linen industries booming like never before. Grain exports: up. We even have a
burgeoning shipbuilding industry. Who would have thought it?

And how are things the same? The Laird’s still rule the land
and the poor still let them.

But the future is clear for me and the realisation is that
this is what we were striving for all along: greater trading capabilities, a
stable economy.

Scotland lost its independence. Was that a price worth
paying?

INT. The Maurepas. Night

Three sailors are below deck carrying empty bottle.

Sailor 1

I think we should treat ourselves to a dram or two of this
rum before we head back.

Sailor 2

I second that. It’s been hell out there today.

They fill a bottle from a large cask and pass it around. Sailor
3 takes out a cigar (a stub), lights it and takes a puff.

Sailor 3

Ah! Beautiful.

Other bottle are filled while they rest.

Sailor 2

My cousin got married before we came out here.

Sailor 1

Oh, aye.

Sailor 2

He’s a real traditional highlander: kilt and everything.

Sailor 3

What was the tartan?

Sailor 2

Oh, she in was some shabby dress her mother gave her!

They roll about laughing hysterically.

Sailor 1

Hold on, hold on. [BEAT] How many literate bishops are there
in the Catholic Church?

Sailor 2

No idea.

Sailor 1

Just Juan!

Fits of laughter again.

Sailor 3

Oh, come on let’s go before they all get grumpy.

All get up to leave. Sailor 3 half-heartedly stubs out the
remainder of his cigar. It falls to the floor, still alight.

EXT. On board another ship. Night

A night watch is in the crows nest. A lieutenant walks the main
deck. He catches sight of something in the Maurepas. A light. He squints.

Lieutenant

Fire!